Phyllis B. Mandel

Phyllis Blanche Mandel, a pioneering executive in book publishing operations, passed away on May 20, 2021 in Cape Cod, MA. She was 75 years old.

Phyllis’s 40 year career began in New York City at Select Magazines in 1966, where she served as an order processing department of one. She went on to lead distribution and fulfillment at Bantam Books, Bantam Doubleday Dell, and Random House. The first woman executive in that male dominated workspace, she confounded sexist stereotypes. Today, she would be praised for her inclusive management style, ambition, and effectiveness, but for much of her early career she was underestimated.

A trailblazer in the workplace, her former team describes Phyllis as a stubborn and high-expectations manager who mentored younger crew, celebrated successes, and fought for fairness. She did not back away from a confrontation but was forgiving where appropriate. She nurtured many of today’s industry leaders in publishing operations. Her insights, team-building capabilities, and unshakeable commitment to authors, colleagues, vendors, and booksellers changed the face of publishing distribution.

Phyllis was born May 19,1946 and raised in the Bronx, NY. She lost her beloved mother as an adolescent; her grief unconsoled, she went West to live with her older brother, and then back to New York to break out on her own. She built a fierce and successful life and served as a model for others to do the same.

As a young adult, Phyllis lived near the iconic White Horse Tavern where she tended bar to make extra cash. She embraced the West Village scene, a stylish free spirit with a mischievous look in her eye. She maintained affection for artists, writers, and other creatives her entire life, and loved sharing the work of creators she admired.

Phyllis is universally remembered as smart, funny, tough, opinionated, and generous. She was a great gift giver to people and institutions she cared about. In her retirement in Chatham, MA, she loved reading, baseball (Mets forever), bird watching, whale watching, sunrises, dinner parties, and her glorious garden. She became an accomplished digital photographer who shared those joys online with friends and family near and far.

Her home, dubbed Chatham Gardens (tagline: Friends & Birds Welcome), was an inviting place where she hosted frequent overnight guests and lobster feasts -- and instructed everyone on exactly how to clean up. She liked to tell stories, drink good wine, swear and laugh, and be surrounded by friends and family. Her persona was irresistible. She was respected, appreciated, and deeply loved.

She leaves behind one daughter, Angel Gardner, several nieces and nephews, and an extended family of devoted friends and former colleagues. To make a donation in Phyllis's memory, consider these organizations from among many Phyllis supported: We Can, wecancenter.org; Chatham Children's Fund, www.monomoy.org; or Mass Audubon, massaudubon.org.

There will be an online memorial Sunday, June 6 at 3:00 pm EDT. For more information see www.nickersonfunerals.com.